Abstract:
Background: Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by an obligate intracellular parasite
known as Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). The parasite infects approximately half of the world's
population. Latent stages of toxoplasmosis are prevalent in Human Immunodeficiency Virus
(HIV) infected individuals, approximately one-third of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
patients (AIDS) with an antibody to T. gondii reactivating their latent infection, resulting
Cerebral Toxoplasmosis(CT) and other clinical disease. So far no documented data concerning
the epidemiology of T. gondii infection in HIV infected individuals is available in the study
area. This study aimed at determines the seroprevalence of latent T. gondii infection and
associated factors among people infected with HIV in Arba Minch hospital, southern Ethiopia.
Methods: A facility based cross sectional study design was employed. A total of 170 study
participants visiting Arba Minch hospital Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) clinic from April 5 to
June 5, 2013 were enrolled consecutively. Data regarding socio demographic and associated
factors were gathered using questionnaire. Approximately two milliliters of blood sample was
collected and tested for anti-T. gondii IgG antibody using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent
Assay (ELISA). Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were used for the analysis.
Results: Seroprevalence of latent T. gondii infection among the study participant was 88.2%.
The seropositivity increased as age of the study participants increased. Multivariate analysis
revealed that consumption of raw meat (Adjusted Odd Ratio (AOR) = 4.361;95% Confidence
Interval (CI):1.409-13.496) and history of engagement in farming/gardening
activities(AOR=4.051; 95% CI:1.112-14.758) were independent risk factors for Toxoplasma
seropositivity.
Conclusion: In the present study high prevalence of latent T. gondii infection was found
among HIV infected individuals. Consumption of raw meat, engagement in farming/gardening
activities were identified as main predictors of T. gondii infection. It suggests that routine
screening of Toxoplasma should be considered for all HIV-infected individuals to detect latent
infection. Moreover health information should be provided for HIV infected individuals, about
ways to minimize exposure to the risk factors.
